Confrontation against the Cariocas takes place this Saturday (26), starting at 4:30 pm

The Brazilian Championship is approaching its end, and the clubs fighting against relegation find, in each of the last rounds, the opportunity to distance themselves from the Z4. This Saturday (26), the direct confrontation between Vitória and Fluminense marks a dispute between two teams that continue to recover after the troubled start in Série A. Valid for the 31st round, the game starts at 4:30 pm, at Barradão.

When the ball rolls in Salvador, the fans will cheer and hope that the red and black team can break a long fast against Tricolor das Laranjeiras. The last match in which Leão overcame their opponents as hosts took place in 2014. On that occasion, Dinei, William Henrique and Vinícius were responsible for guaranteeing Bahia’s 3-1 triumph – Cícero scored for the Rio de Janeiro team.

Since then, there have been three more meetings with Vitória playing at home, with two draws and one defeat. On the other hand, in the most recent duel between the teams, in the first round of the current Brasileirão, the red and black team did better: 1-0, goal from Janderson, at Maracanã.

Considering the general record between the two teams, Flu has the advantage. Of the 40 games played, Tricolor won 16, against 10 victories for Leão. Another 14 matches ended in a draw.

Hero in the triumph over Red Bull Bragantino, in the last round, Everaldo was once a player for the Rio club. Between 2018 and 2019, he took to the field 54 times, scoring seven goals and contributing 13 assists. During a press conference, the attacker commented on the possibility of enforcing his ex’s law in Barradão, but guaranteed to prioritize the result. “My only thought is to be able to play good matches, donate on the field, give my best and be able to help Vitória”, he said.

“We are very focused, focused on the Fluminense team, so that we can infiltrate the defense. The staff gives everything they have in terms of material, analysis, so that we can be confident and focused on what we have to do to break through Fluminense’s defense”, he added.

With the possibility of Everaldo starting among the starters, coach Thiago Carpini listed 24 players for the clash. On the one hand, there is the return of right-back Willlean Lepo, who has recovered from pubalgia. On the other hand, the coach will not be able to count on captain Wagner Leonardo, suspended for his third yellow card.

The tendency is for Neris’s partner in defense to be Edu, who previously played on the left for Goiás. Another who returns to reinforce the team is top scorer Alerrandro.

Just like Vitória, who hired Thiago Carpini to save Leão from relegation, Fluminense also experienced a similar scenario in Rio de Janeiro. The current Libertadores champion fired Fernando Diniz and saw Mano Menezes arrive to command the tricolor turnaround in the Brasileirão. Their missions, at least for now, have been successful. After all, both teams start the 31st round outside the Z4: the red-black team in 16th place, with 32 points, and the rival in 11th, with 36.

The mirroring in the campaigns can be proven by the clubs’ phases in the return of Series A. Flu added 19 points in the second half of the Brasileirão, occupying 6th place in the ranking. Vitória, with 17 points, is 8th.

In Salvador, Mano Menezes will be without midfielder Bernal, suspended for a third yellow card, as well as defender Thiago Silva, who is recovering from a heel injury.